Fiber cell structure expansion process

Abstract

A method for expanding cigarette filter fiber cell structure, comprises providing a cigarette filter fiber, adding a liquid to the cigarette filter fiber to form a cigarette filter fiber and liquid solution; and expanding total fiber volume and cell cavities in the cigarette filter fiber by performing an expansion process on the filter fiber and liquid solution.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A method for expanding cigarette filter fiber cell structure, comprising:
 providing a cigarette filter fiber;   adding a liquid to the cigarette filter fiber to form a cigarette filter fiber and liquid solution;   expanding total fiber volume and cell cavities in the cigarette filter fiber by performing an expansion process on the filter fiber and liquid solution.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein adding a liquid to the cigarette filter fiber includes soaking the cigarette filter fiber with liquid CO2 under pressure. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the expansion process to expand total fiber volume and cell cavities includes quick freezing the cigarette filter fiber and CO2 solution by decompression, and heat expanding the quick-frozen cigarette filter fiber in a dryer. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , further comprising reconditioning the cigarette filter fiber to room temperature and increasing moisture in the cigarette filter fiber for repack. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , further comprising utilizing the expanded cigarette filter fiber in a downstream process to be mixed with at least one of expanded cigarette filter fiber and non-expanded cigarette filter fiber in a slur blending and mixing process. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein adding a liquid to the cigarette filter fiber includes providing a duct having an inlet, an outlet, and a flow path; introducing a steam flow into the inlet of the duct; introducing moist cigarette filter fiber into the duct downstream from the steam inlet; entraining the cigarette filter fiber in the steam flow. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the expansion process to expand total fiber volume and cell cavities includes conveying the steam and entrained cigarette filter fiber along the flow path and toward the outlet of the duct whereby the steam penetrates deeply into the cigarette filter fiber and increases filling capacity of the cigarette filter fiber. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising collecting the steam and expanded cigarette filter fiber from the outlet of the duct; separating the steam from the expanded cigarette filter fiber by a heat treatment process. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising reconditioning the cigarette filter fiber to room temperature and increasing moisture in the cigarette filter fiber for repack. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising utilizing the expanded cigarette filter fiber in a downstream process to be mixed with at least one of expanded cigarette filter fiber and non-expanded cigarette filter fiber in a slur blending and mixing process. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the cigarette filter fiber is at least one of Abaca, Tencel, Cotton Flock and Hemp. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising utilizing the expanded cigarette filter fiber in a downstream process to be mixed with at least one of expanded cigarette filter fiber and non-expanded cigarette filter fiber including at least one of Abaca, Tencel, Cotton Flock and Hemp in a slur blending and mixing process.